St. Thomas Aquinas
Feast day: January 28
Born to a noble Italian family, Thomas studied at the University of Naples. While there, he expressed a desire to join the Dominican Order. This was unacceptable to his family, and he was kidnapped by his brothers and imprisoned for a year. Once free, he finished his studies with St. Albert the Great. He accompanied St. Albert to Cologne, where he was ordained at the Dominican college. Thomas was known for his influential theological writings, including Summa Theologiae. He was canonized in 1323 and was also declared a Doctor of the Church. He is the patron of Catholic schools, colleges and universities.
Collect
O God, who made Saint Thomas Aquinas
outstanding in his zeal for holiness
and his study of sacred doctrine,
grant us, we pray,
that we may understand what he taught
and imitate what he accomplished.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever.
